Palo Alto, CA – The PaloAltoGreen Program, a voluntary renewable energy program, has reached the highest customer participation rate in the country, achieving more than 20%. In December 2006, the community was challenged by then-Mayor Judy Kleinberg to surpass its existing 15% participation rate and strive for 20%; the goal was achieved in less than 12 months.

Due to a strong, collaborative effort of residents and businesses, City of Palo Alto recently became the first green power program in the country to reach 20% community participation. Breaking their own record once again, PaloAltoGreen members are purchasing the output equivalent of 12 wind turbines, for a combined total of 41,539,661 kilowatt-hours of PaloAltoGreen wind and solar energy each year. This annual purchase of renewable energy has the environmental and public health impact equivalent of removing 693,878,496 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each month.

"I am proud of this community’s phenomenal support of renewable energy," said Frank Benest, Palo Alto City Manager. "With the City becoming California’s first Green Power Community last December and now reaching a new record across the country of 20% participation, I think we have a lot to be proud of. I am thankful to live in a community so dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint."

The National average for participation in Utility Green Power Pricing programs is 1.8%. Lenox Municipal Utilities in Iowa has a 16.6% participation rate as of December 2006, and their program is the next closest to PaloAltoGreen.

"I’m thrilled with the high level of participation in this program and I’m proud to be a part of it," said Brian Ward, PaloAltoGreen Program Manager.

The residents and businesses in City of Palo Alto make this program what it is. Without their continued commitment to environmental stewardship, development of cutting edge technology and a strong desire to be responsible citizens, the program would not be a success. Palo Alto remains a national leader in renewable energy and continues to raise the bar in support of innovative ideas to preserve the environment in which we live.

About PaloAltoGreenPaloAltoGreen offers residential, business and industrial customers the option to support the generation of electricity from 100% renewable wind and solar resources. Participants pay a low additional cost of 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. Visit http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/pagreen call (650) 329-2161 for more information.